Osinowo showcases Islamic art

Halal Art Galleries supported by Ibeji Foundation and the Forum for Islamic Welfare and Education staged an Islamic Art exhibition, ‘Seeds of Peace: the Sower and the Envoy,’ so titled, in a bid to project Islamic advocacy for peaceful co-existence in society through art. The solo exhibition showcased Islamic art works of Yaba College of […]

Halal Art Galleries supported by Ibeji Foundation and the Forum for Islamic Welfare and Education staged an Islamic Art exhibition, ‘Seeds of Peace: the Sower and the Envoy,’ so titled, in a bid to project Islamic advocacy for peaceful co-existence in society through art.
The solo exhibition showcased Islamic art works of Yaba College of Technology graduate, Ridwan Osinowo.
The works including ‘Divine Light,’ ‘Moving on,’ ‘Peaceful co-existence,’ ‘Friendliness: A seed of peace,’ ‘The advocate’s key,’ drew attention and comments from the guests who related their relevance to occurrences in today’s Nigeria. The titles were inspired by verses of the Qur’an and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).     
In his remark, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State governor, said: “The message of peace and peaceful co-existence which is being converged through this exhibition is very instructive.”
He stressed that: “The need for religious tolerance and harmony cannot be over-emphasized especially at this time when criminal activities are being perpetrated against humanity around the world in the name of religion.”
Calling on all true adherents of different religions belief to unite, Ambode urged them not to relent to in the effort to regularly showcase the true teachings and tenets of Islam to the world.
The over 40 artworks were calligraphic and decorative patterns depicting worship places, people, locations and various still life and abstract works. The artist expressed himself using aluminium composite panel (ACP), HDF board and sublimation plate.
Symbolic in his works were mirrors, which Osinowo used in gold, silver and bronze, along with variants of ACP together with transparent Perspex and sublimation printing technique to express the calligraphy in both flat and three dimensional forms; a new style in contemporary Nigerian art. 
Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, Ibeji Foundation boss, said the event was the second attempt to create awareness of the depth and vastness of messages from the Qu’ran especially as regards peaceful and harmonious coexistence amongst mankind.
Ebiti described the artist as multi-talented who understands the grasp and multiple interpretations of the Qu’ran and uses various media to express such verses in artistic forms.
In the same light, prolific Kano-based artist, Kaltume Gana, said Islamic calligraphy has grown into an art medium and has been a part of aesthetics for tombs and buildings especially mosques, amongst others.
Gana summed up that the main concept and major motivation for Islamic art as a whole, has been derived from the Qu’ran.
Osinowo, a professional painter and entrepreneur with versatility in graphic design and printing, said he has exceptional flair for Islamic art especially its aesthetic values and the rhythmic nature of Arabic calligraphy.
The artist, whose major media of expression include foil, oil, relief calligraphy, acrylic, fibre glass and mirror, said he experiments with uncommon media to achieve brilliant expressions of his thoughts.
Prior to this maiden edition of his solo exhibition, Osinowo has participated in several secular and Islamic exhibitions in Lagos, Abuja and Saudi Arabia. The exhibition ended with an inter-faith forum penultimate Sunday.